About
the Foundation

Following the
death of J. N. "Ding" Darling in 1962, his family,
friends, and admirers gathered in Des Moines, Iowa. Their task
was to determine how best to perpetuate "Ding's" forceful
leadership in conservation and conservation education.

Those gathered
initiated the J. N. "Ding" Darling Foundation, which
received its IRS Section 501(c)(3) approval letter in 1963. The
Foundation's Board of Trustees represented a broad national constituency.
Among the founding Trustees were former Presidents Eisenhower
and Truman, as well as experienced educators, publishers, artists,
business executives and conservationists.

The founders made an early decision to accomplish the work of the Foundation by relying on trustees and volunteers. Utilizing the experience of its trustees and attracting dedicated volunteers, the Darling Foundation avoided the necessity of paid staff. Since income from its modest endowment covered its low overhead, the Foundation
was able to put virtually all contributions received directly into its operating projects.
The Foundation supported the
J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge,
supplied teaching materials for conservation education, and
published a
CD containing 6,800 of
Ding's editorial cartoons.